Home Charging - ChargePoint (6-50 vs 14-50) or the JuiceBox ( 40 vs 48 and plug in vs. Hardwire) ?

[Mhood]

I am new to this EV world, and the MME will be my first EV vehicle. (*** So please be gentle with me***)

I want to install a home charger but I dont know which is better and which is needed for the amount of miles I drive for my weekly commute. *50 miles one way 3x times a week.

It is between the ChargePoint (6-50 vs 14-50) or the JuiceBox ( 40 vs 48 and plug in vs. Hardwire)

I am open to either hardwiring or a plug in, I just want to be sure I am able to make it to and from work, factoring in stop and go traffic. Nor am I moving anytime soon, if this plays a factor in the hardwiring advise.

Please help.........

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[Larry]

On advice of a friend involved in EV development, I have a ChargePoint that will be hardwired on a 240v/80a circuit. That will allow it to be configured to maximum output.

That is overkill for an MME. His argument is that EV charging requirements are only going one way in the future. He encouraged me to go for the maximum capacity available even if it exceeds my present needs.

 

[Maquis]

There is no single right answer.

I would do some research and read the reviews that abound online.
Given your normal commute, you really don't need a max-level (48 amp or more) charge rate at this time. Having said that, it's never bad to keep the future in mind.

You should consult a licensed electrical contractor and get quotes on both a receptacle and hard-wired. Depending on your code cycle, you may be required to have a receptacle outlet on a GFCI breaker (which would not be required if you go hard-wired).

If you decide to go with a receptacle, I'd recommend the 14-50. It will provide the most flexibility going forward. Your MME will come with a portable charger with a 14-50 plug. If for some reason you do need to plug in a 6-50, you can get an adapter.

The Ford mobile charger will provide 32 amps (7.7KW). If you assume 3.3 miles/per KwH, you will add about 25 miles of range per hour. You could start out using the included mobile charger and see if that provides fast enough charging speed (I think it will, given what you state above). If so, you really don't need to buy an EVSE rated more than that.

 

[benk016]

I put in a ChargePoint HomeFlex, hardwired with a 60amp breaker. This gives the MME the full 48amp charging. Its been a great setup, and love the chargepoint.

From what I've seen the juicebox is also highly rated, so you can't really go wrong with either one.

It may just come down to whichever one you can get that's in stock.

 

[generaltso]

On advice of a friend involved in EV development, I have a ChargePoint that will be hardwired on a 240v/80a circuit. That will allow it to be configured to maximum output.

You're probably already aware of this, but the gauge of wire that will be required for an 80A circuit cannot directly connect to the ChargePoint Home Flex.

 

[shutterbug]

If you choose ChargePoint and have it hardwired, it doesn't matter what plug it comes with. You won't be using it. The cost of installation would be about the same too. Before listening to anyone here (there are some pretty strong opinions around), do 2 things:

• Check with your electric utility to see if they have any program that will help pay for this.
• Get multiple quotes from licensed electricians that will do the work. When I did, the differences were pretty significant.

 

[Larry]

I put in a ChargePoint HomeFlex, hardwired with a 60amp breaker. This gives the MME the full 48amp charging. Its been a great setup, and love the chargepoint.

From what I've seen the juicebox is also highly rated, so you can't really go wrong with either one.

It may just come down to whichever one you can get that's in stock.

I speak from no personal knowledge but my electrician said that I should plan on using 75% of the circuit capacity. Thus I will have an 80a circuit in order to provide 60a current.

He also said that code would require a cut off switch near the charger.

 

[benk016]

I speak from no personal knowledge but my electrician said that I should plan on using 75% of the circuit capacity. Thus I will have an 80a circuit in order to provide 60a current.

The chargepoint does that calculation. I told the unit I have a 60amp circuit, and it allows for 48amp charging because of that. IF you tell it a 50amp circuit, it then only allows a 40amp charge.

 

[generaltso]

I speak from no personal knowledge but my electrician said that I should plan on using 75% of the circuit capacity. Thus I will have an 80a circuit in order to provide 60a current.

I assume you're still talking about some future vehicle with 60A charging capabilities?

 

[Larry]

The chargepoint does that calculation. I told the unit I have a 60amp circuit, and it allows for 48amp charging because of that. IF you tell it a 50amp circuit, it then only allows a 40amp charge.

Thanks. I’ll ask that question before he does the install.

 

[exact33]

The Mach E is my first ev as well. I went with the Juicebox 40 and had a 14-50 plug installed in my garage. I went the plugin direction because if the unit fails then I can get another unit (or the mobile charger from Ford) without engaging an electrician.

So far the juicebox 40 is working as expected.

 

[OttawaGuy]

I bought a TechnoVE 48A hardwire charger

Overkill no doubt for the MME, but this is my last home... I might have a second EV in the future, or an EV with a bigger battery down the road, or need to have faster charging. And since I already need to have an electrician over to do some work to allow me to have a charging unit in my garage, let's do it once and for all.

No point, for me to spend a thousand dollars to get a setup that might need to be upgraded some day. It's a few hundred $ more now, but less in the future!


If ever it fails and I need to replace it, it's no problem opening it up and disconnecting it!

The province gives me a 600$ rebate on it so it ends up costing me only about 350$ plus tax

And finally the TechnoVE is a Québec company, so I'm supporting local businesses and it is designed for colder climates, the cable remains soft below freezing temps!

 

[BMT1071]

I am new to this EV world, and the MME will be my first EV vehicle. (*** So please be gentle with me***)

I want to install a home charger but I dont know which is better and which is needed for the amount of miles I drive for my weekly commute. *50 miles one way 3x times a week.

It is between the ChargePoint (6-50 vs 14-50) or the JuiceBox ( 40 vs 48 and plug in vs. Hardwire)

I am open to either hardwiring or a plug in, I just want to be sure I am able to make it to and from work, factoring in stop and go traffic. Nor am I moving anytime soon, if this plays a factor in the hardwiring advise.

Please help.........

I went with the ChargePoint 6-50 model because that's what my utility stocks in their online marketplace with a $250 instant rebate. I picked CP over JuiceBox because I saw more positive CP reviews, and more posts about issues with JB. That and @SnBGC had good things to say about the internal construction of the CP. As another user mentioned, if you elect to hardwire the CP it doesn't matter which model you purchase as the plug will be removed and replaced with the house wiring anyway.

 

[Maquis]

I speak from no personal knowledge but my electrician said that I should plan on using 75% of the circuit capacity. Thus I will have an 80a circuit in order to provide 60a current.

He also said that code would require a cut off switch near the charger.

Code states 80% for continuous loads, so your 80 is good for 64A. Nothing wrong with a little extra margin!

 

[SnBGC]

I am new to this EV world, and the MME will be my first EV vehicle. (*** So please be gentle with me***)

I want to install a home charger but I dont know which is better and which is needed for the amount of miles I drive for my weekly commute. *50 miles one way 3x times a week.

It is between the ChargePoint (6-50 vs 14-50) or the JuiceBox ( 40 vs 48 and plug in vs. Hardwire)

I am open to either hardwiring or a plug in, I just want to be sure I am able to make it to and from work, factoring in stop and go traffic. Nor am I moving anytime soon, if this plays a factor in the hardwiring advise.

Please help.........

Your options are plenty.
You can choose to use the EVSE that comes with the car and plug into 120v power every night and be totally fine to get to work and back.

A 100 mile round trip 3 times/week is fairly light use IMO so ANY L2 EVSE is going to almost certainly meet your needs. To keep thinks simple for now.....perhaps you can consider installing a receptacle to power the EVSE that comes with your car at 240v and see how that works for you.

If you have incentives in your area that mitigate the costs of a 3rd party EVSE then either of the models you have selected will be fine. I recommend hard wired for safety reasons. Not that a plug is dangerous......just not as safe as being hard wired.

Enjoy your EV!

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